2018 Kia Rio: common problems and reliability
An average Rio year.
28 owner complaints, most about engine. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Rio?The 2018 Kia Rio has 28 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2018 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 Kia Rio vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Rio years only. How we score it
Is 2018 a good year for the Rio?
Across the 23 Rio model years we track, complaint volume runs from 3 (2000) to 227 (2001). With 28 complaints, the 2018 Rio sits below the model's median of 46.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2018 Rio
latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch
Campaign 21V622000Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and highly dependent on generation and purchase context.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Rio. See the full Rio owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Rio listings typically run $10,249–$14,795 across 2013 to 2023 model years.
Other Rio model years
Compare every Rio year side by side to see how 2018 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Rio against its rivals
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